Lethality Assessments

Lethality is an individual’s capacity to cause death. A lethality assessment attempts to predict the likelihood an abuser will murder the victim of abuse.

The Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) is based on the Danger Assessment, which was created by Dr. Jacqueline Campbell. Dr. Campbell created the assessment based on the evidence that certain factors in a domestic violence relationship are more dangerous than others. Some are proven to be precursors of murder.

Dr. Campbell also realized many victims don’t know how much danger they really are in or how to get help. This assessment is an important tool for arousing awareness of their vulnerability.

Danger Assessment

Law Enforcement uses an abbreviated version of what Dr. Campbell developed. The Danger Assessment test contains 20 questions a victim answers. The victim’s responses determine how much risk they are in based on experiences that have occurred during their relationship. 

Value of an Experienced DV Interviewer

There are considerations more important than just administering this instrument. Consider this. The results drawn from the interview are only as accurate as the information itself. Therefore, the experience level of the person asking questions of victims plays an integral part in predicting the risk of future behaviors. 

Lethal behavior…it is not predictable. The best we can do is to identify red-flag behaviors. They may contribute to irrational thinking, which could in turn translates into aggressive behavior.

 Risk Assessments, on the other hand, attempt to predict other future non-lethal behaviors with detrimental potential to a family and the community. In addition, they may assist DOC or County Corrections with managing those under their supervision.